Diaspora Digest, #29

DIASPORA DIGEST #29

October, 1999

Co-editors:

ddeditors@diasporadigest.org

Gael Stahl

(Ernest-1960 "Zeke")
Founder & Publisher

Jack Brennan

(Ternan-1960)
Webmeister

Join Diaspora online discussion group and view the archives at:
www.onelist.com/viewachive.cgi?listname=Diaspora_ofm

Next Diaspora Reunion June 10, 2000 at Mayslake

Howdy, fellow friar spirits. Quite an outpouring of mail after Diaspora Digest #28 was received. I'd asked to hear from those who don't know me and whom I don't know. A multitude of letters soon arrived, many with generous help for the expenses of getting the printer's/postal service's versions to you. It was you whom I don't know that I was appealing to let me know if you still want or ever wanted to receive DD. Only a handful of that group contacted me. Unless I hear, I'll continue sending it to those of you whom I know until you let me know to save the time and money.

The names listed at the end of this issue are those I think I don't personally or by association and haven't contacted me in any way. If you're on that list, unless I hear something, I'll assume you don't really want DD all that much.

To kick DD29 into gear, I offer this quote by John Garvey from the Aug. 13 Commonweal: "Orthodox Christianity in America has, in recent years, gone through something of a crisis. Without going into great detail, the problem at the international level is that the old-world churches regard American Orthodox as people living in a diaspora; we regard ourselves as fully here."

More along the political/theological/church arguments, I liked this phrase from another article in that issue by Steven Englund. He's reporting on a workshop on AIDS in Senegal, Africa, where a Thai delegate kept reminding the others that we must not "confuse truth with reality." Englund says, "...by which I took him to mean that we ought not confuse our take on what's there with what's actually there."

Now to get to you and your letters and calls, we begin with letters editor JB received before I mailed the June issue but I failed to include into DD28. - GS

31 Mar 99 Herb Wheatley: [To Jack Brennan] Just finished re-reading your "Epistola ad disasporam" (DD27: Feb. 9, 1999). Thank you! You said very well what I have been thinking and feeling for some time regarding the Smith-Lutz dialogues. It's not that their disagreements frighten me. I'll defend to my dying day their right to disagree with one another. But too often these disagreements move beyond the realm of ideas to attacks on the persons who hold the ideas. I've had enough of this kind of "dialogue" to last me a lifetime.

Just recently I received word that the cancer that has plagued my younger sister, Mary, for the past three years has reappeared in two new sites - the hip and the sternum. She's already had a double mastectomy and been treated for cancer of the spine through chemotherapy and radiation. It's another reminder to me that life is precious and we never know when it will come to an end. I guess it is this realization, that life is precious, that compels me to move in the direction of things and people that bring me life. There's been all too much in my life that has not been life-giving. What I have enjoyed, and continue to enjoy about "Diaspora" is hearing about so many people I love and respect. I yearn to hear what has brought and continues to bring life to them. Give me more of those "heart singing stories."

Thanks again, Gael and Jack, for making this vehicle possible. I, for one, appreciate all that you do. Peace and All Good.

P.S. Am enclosing article about "what I do." It was printed in "The Way" magazine in January, 1999. [It's a heart singer, so it appears below. JB]

"The Beauty of a Ministry
by Rev. Herbert Wheatley, OFM.

People often ask me, "How can you work with the sick every day? Isn't it depressing?" My usual response to this question is: "No. I don't find working with the sick depressing. In fact, I find myself being energized as I visit the sick."

I suppose this seems morbid to some. But I find ministering to the sick a very unique experience. When a person is informed, "You are going to have to have serious surgery;" "You have just had a major heart attack;" or "You have cancer;" the person usually experiences a crisis in their life. The hopes and dreams the person had for himself or herself, especially the ones not yet realized, are place in jeopardy.

"What's happening to me?" "Will I survive?" "How much time do I have left?" "What needs to happen for me?" These are the kinds of questions the person begins to ask. There are many reasons why a person might not wish to discuss their ultimate concerns with members of their family. But what I usually hear is, "I don't want to upset them." Maybe it's because I am a stranger and I can be more objective, but more probably it is because I am a priest-chaplain, that people share with me their deepest selves and concerns.

This sharing is not like the sharing that people did when they came to see me as their parish priest. Then, their problems were more focused. "I'm having trouble with my spouse." "My son is on drugs." "My daughter is pregnant." "I have a family. I don't want any more children. Can I use birth control?" These were the kinds of problems people brought to me. In these situations I might never meet what I considered the real person.

I like to think people are like onions - composed of many layers. What most of us see is only the outer layer. But there are many more layers beneath. Ordinarily we do not reveal the core of who we are to just anyone. That would make us too vulnerable. So we reserve that inner core for a very few people. But when a person is in crisis, this is precisely what they share with me, that inner core of who they are. They tell me the dreams and hopes they had (or still have). The tell me of their values and their relationships. And they tell me of their God and their relationship to that God.

As I listen, I know and feel myself to be privileged and in a holy place. This is holy ground, and I sometimes wonder why I am permitted in this place, even if some of the person's closest family members are not.

I suspect it has to do with the perceived proximity of death. Look at the questions: "How long do I have?" "Will I survive?" "What more needs to be done?" We don't ask these kinds of questions in our society unless the question of death, one's very own personal death, arises. I suppose that's also why I didn't ever experience this depth of the person as much when I was a parish priest: The people I met under those circumstances weren't confronted with the prospect of their own death.

I have often told my fellow chaplains, "I don't know who receives more from my visits: the patient, or me." I have learned much from patients, but mostly that our God is wonderfully versatile. Our God enriches our lives in ways we would never suspect. If we cannot find our God, our God finds us. How could I not love this ministry? How could I ever find it depressing? Is it any wonder that I wish to remain in this ministry?

Each year, the friars in our community have the opportunity to express our ministerial concerns and preferences. One of the questions we are asked is: "Do you prefer to stay in your present ministry?" Perhaps you can now understand why I always write in this space, "This will be my last ministry." It's in this ministry that I want to remain, because the presence of God is very clear in lives of the people I visit. [Herb is a chaplain at Providence Portland Medical Center, a 400-bed Catholic hospital in Portland, OR.]

21 Apr 99: Zach Hayes: To Jack Brennan. Thanks so much for your message with congratulations on my recent appointment. [To the Duns Scotus Chair of Spirituality at CTU.] I do enjoy hearing from you, and I often recall the "good old days" at T-Town. But how wonderful it is to be here in Hyde Park nonetheless. Our "little project," energized initially by T-Town, has become the largest Roman Catholic school of theology and ministry in North America and a truly international operation. Gil Ostdiek and I are two of four remaining original faculty members. Talk about being patriarchs. I enjoyed meeting your brother, [Dan, my older, smarter brother. JB] about whom I knew nothing until last Sunday. It seems he might be signing in for some courses along the way. At least some of his acquaintances are encouraging him to do so. Who knows who may show up in a class list?

May Minor Matters of 1998 re-examined: The provincial newsletter had a discussion about a Peace Center. Al Merz (1959 profession) and Steve Suding wanted it in Nashville rather than San Antonio for language reasons. A bit of a problem was that it would mean two non-salaried friars in an active ministry but the province expects to do more of that for worthwhile things. - The same issue carries a price list for OFM habits and capuche ($250), cord ($20), albs, surplice, amice, etc. The tailor shop is at St. Peter's.

3 May 99 Thomas Was: Thank you for keeping me on the Diaspora mailing list. I have come to learn that I know only a few of the people involved and consequently conclude it would be better for me to be dropped from the mailing list. Enclosed is a donation to help and I wish you and all God's blessings. [Tom had asked to be added to the mailing list in Jan. 96 so his $15 check aptly erased his mailing costs to date. Thank you, Thomas, for helping out and for desubscribing. GS]

20 May 99: John Miller: I have been familiarizing myself with some of Merton's life and writings recently. [Hey, my sisters gave me his early journals for my birthday. GS] Several Protestant friends are great admirers of Merton and the article in Harpers peaked my interest. I read a bit of and about him early on in my life, but the memory was no longer there. Rosemary Reuther was not familiar to me, but she was said to be a "radical theologian" who carried on correspondence with Merton during a 1966-67 period, a time I was in novitiate. A few things caught my eye which I'd like to share. Reuther writes the following: "The Church: What it is; surely not first of all the institution. This structure blasphemes when it says it was founded by Christ. It was not founded by Christ, but by history; as such it is a necessary but secondary structure serving as the temporal vehicle for a tradition about a certain reality; but that reality is not only, or even primarily, happening there. That reality is nothing else but God's constant renewal of His good creation, which has fallen into alienation and estrangement. The Church as historical vehicle carries the words about this good news, but in its own substance exhibits more deeply than anywhere else this fallenness and estrangement which is the condition from which God is saving his creation. The 'true church' is whenever this reality is happening, and it is to the glory of God's omnipotence that this reality is now beginning to happen a little bit, here and there, in the structure which we must so misleadingly call the 'church.'" This is just a small sampling of that letter, which confirms my own biases. Her stance about organized religion is very much like Joseph Campbell's. Reuther writes: "I distrust all academic theology. Only theology bred in the crucible of experience is any good. I like Vahanian on incarnation. He speaks of an incarnation I can make contact with, whereas Catholic incarnationalism seems always to be quasi-docetic, and meta- historical. The agony of plain history has dismantled that Catholic Christ for me bit by bit until finally the last fragment of it is gone, and I am relieved. Jesus was a Jewish eschatological prophet filled with visions of the kingdom of God, increasingly convinced that he was God's instrument to announce the crucial hour; he and his disciples went up to Jerusalem to see the great glory, and he got strung up like a common criminal, and his followers cut the scene like rabbits. What then to do? Admit you were just wrong, or quixotically reaffirm the vision in a new form? Turn the denouement itself into salvation? Something like that. All very human, and yet revelation, the start of a seminal idea that continually lights up reality in a new way. But basically this salvation is not some magic figure in the past, but the disclosure situation here and now for me, the Christological structure of creation of which Jesus of Nazareth is historically the foundational kairos, but which we encounter not by encountering that one but this one right here before me. . ." This is just an expression of another one of my "biases." Would enjoy hearing your thoughts!

31 May 99: Jack Bartz: Mayslake Update: In a move that could hasten the opening of the Mayslake mansion in Oak Brook, DuPage County Forest District officials proposed Thursday that the district begin talks about permanently taking control of the mansion from the agency that currently runs it: the Mayslake Landmark Conservancy.

28 Jun 99: Bert Miller: I am switching my E-MAIL address to bwem of nightowl.net . Please make the change in your address book.

30 Jun 99 David Groeller: His DD28 was returned from St. Luke's in Indianapolis with this on the envelope: "Please remove from your mailing list. No longer at this address."

1 Jul 99 Joe Smith: I remember Gene Katoski well, a beautiful and gentle soul. But I myself (Rodney Fidelis Joseph Smith - not "Bob", my older brother) have not been a "cute little boy" for some decades now. But the word comes up -- when your kids now think you're a cute old geezer. Coming full circle. Blessings, bonbons, and bumptious bubblings, all. Pax et Bonum, (R) FJS P.S. I, too, am for closing SOA (classes in murder and torture). I was in a big demonstration here against the insane bombing - 3,000 people. [Bro. (R) FJS enclosed a Tribune review of "Laura," (a theatrical version of the 1944 Otto Preminger film noir classic) in which Joe's daughter starred on stage: "But there's a terrific performance from the highly intelligent and sensual Adrienne Smith in the central role."]

2 Jul 99 Joe Smith: forwarded the eight-page SOA Watch Update/Summer 1999 issue. The return address for those who want to subscribe: SOA Watch, PO Box 4566, Washington DC 20017. Joe's label indicates he's a regular subscriber. Anyone want this copy? I'll forward it.

3 Jul 99 Joe Smith: I was not going to do this but will make it my swan song. You mention scholasticism, Heglianism, St. Augustine, and Kung. There is little "scholasticism" and plenty of realistic contemporary dialogue in my contributions to date. And Jerry Etzkorn (and Allan Wolter) list bona fide scholastic studies. Not a trace of Hegel anywhere I can tell, either. St. Augustine's Confessions run a range from telling us about his love-child Adeodatus to a very prescholastic chapter on time, quoted and elaborated on by Husserl, Heidegger, et al., in our century. No matter how you put it, ideas and issues never get to stay long swept under that rug. Hans Kung was a house guest of mine once and broke ground on the myth of "infallibility" - a desperate ideological move under dire political circumstances under Pius IX. Kung was removed from his theological chair under the rules still obtaining of the Concordat between Pius XII and Hitler. You need to be a lot more careful in your own pronunciamentos, Gael. DD could be an open and valuable vehicle - uncensored - for straight talk (in addition to cordial interchanges). I hope you will get what this is about sooner than later. I don't recall being informed we were supposed to "play nice." And our own "Augustinian stories" include a lot of struggle and hard decisions. But let me wish you all the best and finally sign off. This is truly a swan song. Cordially. RJFS
P.S. A final witticism: Ratzinger recently stated that the apostles and disciples at the Last Supper were all ordained (cardinal) archbishops. Actually, two bishops, Ironicus and Quisicus, who got too close to the table, were also accidentally made bishops - later assigned to the suburbs. (They still don't know what to think about Casta, a waitress in attendance. Theologians dispute, and even scholastics to this day don't know). I leave you now in peace. Yet weep not. I return in 20 years.

3 Jul 99: GK's Senior Friars newsletter. G.K. added a note: Hi, Gael! looking forward to next D.D. Glad to see that others didn't like Smith-Lutz pages.

4 Jul 99 Charlie Bloss: Gael and Jack, my long overdue thanks for your faithful efforts to keep communication current with us fringe friars. I have savored each and every issue; you've helped me "keep in touch with my family." Both stories and diatribe. The memories are rich and rewarding. When is the next Sherlockian meeting at the Univ. Minnesota? You and Susan are always welcome. [Two years ago, there was another one similar to the 1995 event we attended and stayed with you and Irving, but I couldn't make it. GS] Since beginning my 'diaspora days' in December 1972, I've been on a marvelous trip; married my wife, Irving. Two kids and a cat, Hobbes, later, it continues to unfold. I've worked for almost a quarter of a century with an alcohol and drug treatment program in a private hospital; private practice; and now managed care. Both Irving and I are psychologists, she is private practice for 25 years. Our daughter Jenny just graduated from C.U.N.Y.-Purchase in May '99; and our son Gray completed his first year at Marquette. (My best work to date.)

The peace and justice community in Mpls. is strong and a vibrant community, like the D.D. family. My latest "illegal activity" was at Fort Benning School of the Americas 1997. I tried to call you, Gael, on my way through Nashville, but couldn't connect. We had breakfast at Perkins, and kept on rolling south. I was with a group of Minn. Vets for Peace, two buses full of committed and joyful folk, joining hundreds of others from around the country to support Father Roy Bourgeois' efforts to close this antiquated and immoral military facility. I've worked with a large managed care company, M.C.C., for three years and have recently moved to a new company; Blue Cross of Minn., managing mental health and chemical dependency services.

Our "north star" contingent of D.D. members is limited: Bob Hankey, Phil Eiden, John Knorr, Ted Bilski, Dave Dauwalter, Ollie Stocker, et. al., but we are all supported by the D.D. effort to keep in touch.

I want to thank you for your tireless efforts to keep us all connected over these many years. We do "indeed share something special and uncommonly precious, memories and a vision. Thanks for providing a medium and an elan vital. [Thank you for your generosity, Charlie. It will be spent on DD. Did you know that Dennis Juaire moved to 3272 Edgerton St., St. Paul MN 55127-5024 (612/777-9788)? That's new, since the DD28 listings. - GS]

4 Jul 99 Ed Dean's DD28 was returned, forwarding expired. His new address: 2809 Iroquois Dr., Thompsons Station TN 37179-5006

4 Jul 99: Wayne Nagel: Thanks for the update. Have been busy. Begin my tenure year this fall, rank changed to Assistant Professor and started on my doctorate. Don't know how far that will go. Florida is wonderful, come visit.

5 Jul 99: Bill Bergman: (To Jack Brennan). I will just briefly update you. I asked Monica for a divorce on April 14, 1999. I have been separated and working out logistics ever since. Long story. Lots began at your cabin and this deserves a long chat between the two of us. I admire you and certainly ask that you remember myself and my family in your prayers for courage, strength and healing gratitude.

My health is definitely on the mend. That was part of the entire issue. I am sure you can relate to that. I will be out of town, in Scottsdale, Arizona from July 14 through July 26. So if I do not respond, it is because I am gone.

My cellular, one rate plan, is 206.619.3846, my new business numbers are the following: Bergman & Associates, Inc. 1800 - 112th Avenue NE, Suite 210W. Bellevue, WA 98004.425.990.6232 work. 425.990.6231 fax at work. 206.310.8950.206.619.3846 home. Peace and Everything Good, brother. Greetings to your family and any of the brothers. Thanks for the Diaspora....

5 Jul 99: Jim Martorana (Marty): I am on the e-mail list only and actually read the DD at the web site, so I don't use any postage or paper. I found you because I was surfing the web one day and found my way into the Province's site. I e-mailed Bill Schulte (a classmate) to ask if there was an alumni association or news letter for people who had attended St. Joe's. He put me on to you and I have enjoyed the DD immensely as a non-contributing lurker! I attended St. Joe's for my 9th 10th and 11th year of high school, from 1961-'64. Joe Carlos, Bill Spencer and Tom Aldworth were also classmates. Please keep including me in the DD. Thanks.

P.S. Could somebody tell me why I know that the battle of Zama took place in 202 BC, but I have no clue who fought there, just that some one chanted Zama O Zama? [GK - Fr. Gentil Katoski - used to give us those pneumonic devices at Westmont to remember his so called "peg dates" in history. Zeke has been pleading with him to send us a list, but to no avail. JB] - [Zeke is seeking the pneumonic AND the mnemonic peg dates. - GS]

5 Jul 99 Charlie Strack: After years of "almost," I have reached the "let's just jump in" stage of writing to DD. I enjoy hearing about the people I know (which seem to be a minority), I skip over the theological opinions (I already have my own), and am amazed that you seem to know so many guys. Early in the letter, let me thank you for your efforts at making this happen for such a long time. I organize a class (ordained '60) reunion every five years and know it can be a chore, but what you have done is phenomenal.

Since this is my first contribution, I think a little history since 1980 when I left is in order. I live in Wheaton, got married to a wonderful woman, Kathy, whom I had known for about 13 years in Minnesota. Kathy had four kids who were all out of the house before we were married. They are spread all over the country from Arizona to Florida to Oregon and one "right next door," only 500 miles away in Memphis. We have great places to travel, and the kids are fun, but the grandchildren are a delight.

Jim Steffen was kind enough to hire me to work for him right after I left, and later I started working as a "head hunter." I still do that part time, but my main love (in terms of work) is as a business manager at a parish in Algonquin, Ill. I find it rewarding as my past brings a sense of understanding to the pastor, and I think the virtue of simplicity that I picked up from our training helps me bring some fiscal restraint. It is in the job that I met Bud Jacobson who works for another parish in the same diocese of Rockford.

I am very active in my parish in St. Charles, Ill. It is a fantastic parish. The two pastors of the parish since I have been there have a deep spirituality and a sense of balance that seems all too rare. It is through the Christ Renews His Parish retreats that I found a deeper relationship with God than I had experienced previously. Frankly, it changed my life and gradually convinced me to work for a church even though it meant much lower income. Over the years, I have worked in PADS, Parish Council, Stewardship Council, RCIA, Lector, Baptismal, and Welcome ministries. Now we are in the midst of a fundraising campaign for a larger church.

My life has been wonderfully blessed since I left the order. (It was blessed while I was there too.) I keep in contact with some of the guys in our class, and we get together on an infrequent basis. Our years together created some wonderful friendships, and these same people taught me much. I'm grateful.

Thanks again for keeping us in contact. Peace. [And thanks for the big check to help that effort along. GS]

6 Jul 99 Mathias C. Kiemen OFM: I just finished reading June Diaspora. I attended St. Joe's 1930-36, West Park '37-'40, T-Town '40-'44. Joined Academy of American Franciscan History in Washington DC. Taught a T-town 1946-49. Returned to Academy in 1949, and stayed with Academy until 1985 (how is that for Sitzfleisch). Retired to Harbor Springs in 1985 for 10 years. Retired at St. Francis Village in Crowley, Texas in 1995.

I enjoy reading Diaspora even though I don't know all the names. It is not necessary to send me a copy. I use Lambert Leykam's copy.

7 Jul 99 Chuck Faso: (To Jack) Peace from Chicago. Thanks for the latest DD. After 21 years at St. Peter's in the Loop, my ministry is changing this summer to preaching in any pulpit that will invite me. About six of us friars are full time "Mission Band" as we used to call this ministry. I am excited and so very pleased to begin a new full time ministry. My years at St. Peter's began in 1978 with Bob (Max) Behnen as pastor. I was liturgist and musician and on the staff. I was pastor from 1988-1996. For the last three years I was chairman of the Capital Campaign for St. Peter's. We raised $3.5 million. I am sad to leave St. Peter's. It was a challenging and fulfilling ministry. How we friars can and do touch the hearts and lives of a million people a year! One day I was asked what St. Peter's was all about. I responded: "St. Peter's is the emergency room for hope and healing in the Loop." I even run into your brother [JB's bro, Dan] there in the Loop. I live with two friars, Clarence Klingert and Paul Lachance, in a little old house west of Loop about 3 miles. If anyone's parish needs a parish mission, e-mail me. I am fully booked until November of 2000. After that... More later.

8 Jul 99 Joe & Angel Bizek: We always look forward to each issue of the Diaspora. Thanks for including us on the list. It's wonderful to know we are all still connected. We really are some very nice people. Love. Check enclosed. [Thanks]

9-10 Jul 99 Gael Stahl drove to Chicago with Nashvillian Charlie Fenton Friday, July 9, and returned the next day after an 8 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. Sherlockian event. We spent Friday night with John and Sandy Miller in far south Chicago on the Indiana border near Lowell, Ind. It was a first meeting. - Gael wrote the Millers afterwards: "How incredibly wonderful our time with you was, John and Sandy. You both were so much more than I expected, and from our epistolary friendship, my expectations were high. You exceeded them. I love everything about your place. Even your cats were kind to me and my allergies but that goes with all the preparations and love so evident in your preparations for our welcome. My love to your former race horses, Beau, Kir, Altar Wine, and Nijinsky."

Within a half hour of arriving at 5:30, Cowboy (Dan Mazar) arrived. Dennis and Kathy Newman were stuck in traffic for another two to three hours. In the meantime, we explored the Miller ranch and chatted and worked our way through finger food and first courses of dinner. When the Newmans got there about 9, we ate and talked for another three hours. We stopped then not because we were tired but because it seemed that the morrow was another full day. Unexpectedly, it turned out to be another diaspora event.

The wives, Sandy and Kathy, added a lot to the event. Sandy had showed Charlie and me their horses and John exhibited the cats that look like Cleopatra's cat -- straight out of Egypt. Those cats each cost more than Charlie's good used car. Sandy is a cool cat herself and Kathy is warm and appreciative of the friar spirit as we former friars delved pretty far into the past. Cowboy's T shirt had "Piss and Moan" on the front. It struck your editor as a great title for a certain feature in many a digest. But nobody, including Cowboy, dwelt long on that kind of talk.

Charlie and I left for far west Chicago at dawn and by 3:15 were headed by south. We stopped to see if the Mooneys were home and lucked into a class reunion! Anton Braun soon came over to discuss with Mike and Judy his upcoming wedding (his first at age 60) to his friend Jan. The six of us talked to about 11. What a wonderful three days we had. And when I got home, about two weeks after DD 28 was mailed, a deluge of Diaspora e-mail and postal mail awaited me.

9 Jul 99 Dennis Newman sent a card with a note: Just a small token to pay some of the postage for all those newsletters keeping Kathy and me up on the goings on of all our OFM alumni. You're doing an invaluable work. Thanks.

10 Jul 99 Bill McGee: Gael and Susan, the diaspora is a labor of love. We keep in memory more love than anything else. How blessed I remember little of the less good of life. I remembered living across the tracks, daily chores from 10 on, work from 15 on. I know there was tears and sweat but remember little of it. I still can feel the grip of a 9-inch trout so it would not get away ... the many smiles and tips as a paper boy. At college I was embarrassed because my education was so neglected as one priest put it. But now I smile and it still is. [Ha!]

You knew that our friend Katy died. [Katy Megonigal was one of the best friends and most beautiful person Susan and I, Ben and Kay Skonieczny, Mike and Judy Mooney, and Bill McG. and Alice Waco ever knew when we were in California. Katy got cancer of the sternum at age 40 or so late last year and died in the spring. GS] Alice and I were with her on her last days and her funeral. It was a total living experience with [husband] Kim and children and the Winters and Megonigal families. In essence, Katy has never left. She is still touching us. She had many Jesus people about her. Somehow Katy entered into a Jesus 'thing.' It was a 'born-again' but Katy never lost Katy, and oh, so loved by so many. Sometime in the next millennium Alice and I shall share the experience in conversation. It was well. My only distaste was that the 'preachers' sell Jesus instead of letting Jesus be. Their discipline is funny, almost a 'two-for-one Jesus' - Jesus of guilt and a Jesus of fear and if you take both you get a Resurrection T-shirt. All good people and surely makes it hard on Jesus.

How are you? You know, Gael, you write and publish the digest and you are an enigma in it. We do want to hear [more] of you.

Sunday early Sky (Katy's first husband and dear friend of us all) and I are packing into the Sierras. We bike often. I cherish his friendship at my tender age of 74. 'Old men' need a kick in the butt by these young kids.

You are great, you two. As Auntie Fagel says: Be happy and be loved. Keep in touch. Say your prayers before you go to sleep. - Bill, Alice

11 Jul 99 John Miller: Hope you and Charlie [Fenton] made it home safely. Sandy [John's wife] used to feel "left out" when I had my friar friends over, and we would talk about people and things she did not know. It was interesting, because this time, after you left, she made the remark that she really enjoyed watching us, our obvious enjoyment of each other, and compared it as being "like a bunch of old army buddies who get together and talk about their shared experience." I don't disagree, but I think it's much more than that. We all became "brothers" by our shared experience, and whatever our present beliefs, still share and value the experience of such a brotherhood for what it gave us for the rest of our lives. For me, being an only child, it means having brothers, fathers, uncles, cousins, and being accepted in a loving family. No one can take that away, and I'm forever grateful and better for the experience. Each of us, though uniquely different, share a bond and many of the same basic values, no matter what our present beliefs. It is a spiritual connection, not a matter of belief! It is a matter of living, forming attachments, learning to love someone outside yourself, learning, sometimes painfully, who you are, and feeling accepted by your brothers and yourself. Perhaps I'm only speaking for myself, but that's my sense of it.

Other wives of fringe friars have also remarked how "alike" we all are, and how they could pick us out, even if they didn't know who we were. I'm not sure whether to be insulted, amused, or complimented by this, but they're probably right. We probably do cast a certain aura, or is it bull, that we cast!?! Seriously, that's why I think DD is so important, as I want to know what my brothers are thinking, feeling and doing. We're already "bonded," and a good vintage too! I don't want to read tired, old arguments or tirades, but rather what's happening with each brother, and what gives their lives joy, sorrow, growth and meaning. Those are the connections that are consequential! I'm happy that you established an online discussion group, for those that are interested, and hopefully they will use it, instead of DD, to carry on such "discussions." Peace to all.

14 Jul 99 Francis (Br. August) & Theresa Bieg: I always look forward to the Diaspora Digest and am sending a $25 donation to keep up the good work. I'm sending a brief history of my connection with the Franciscan Order to refresh some memories. I entered in Teutopolis on Labor Day, Sept. 6, 1948. I spent time at St. Pascal's and moved on to Quincy College in 1955 to 1965, was at St. Joe's Seminary 1965 to 1966, went on to Mayslake Retreat house till 1974. From there I left the Franciscan Order and married Theresa Sepurek one year later. From there I worked in St. Louis till May 1990 at which time I retired and moved to Cherokee Village in Arkansas.

In my retirement we traveled a lot in 1998-99. We motor-homed in a caravan to the Baja peninsula. Also, caravaned in the Yucatan peninsula for 44 days in Maya Indian ruins and pyramids -- the most memorable experience. We motor-home in the states -- north, south, east, and west.

My life in the order was to help the friars so they could do God's work. And now it's no different out of the order. I have no regrets and continue to help people in need. My 27 years of Franciscan life are a treasured memory and prepared me for a way of life.

Our telephone no. is 870-257-4944 [a new area code]. If anyone is in the area, give us a call and stay with us on your journey through. [New zip code of 72529.] - [Thanks for your story, Francis. As I transcribe your letter, it's Oct. 3 and your feast day begins with Transitus. - Gael]

15 Jul 99 Paul Shields, organist: His stationery quotes a sign found in a Yonkers choir loft: You don't stop playing because you grow old; you grow old because you stop playing. Paul says: I am Paul (Joseph in novitiate class of 1949-50) who was a seminarian for the Croatian Custody. Marilyn and I enjoy reading Diaspora and are enclosing a check for [lots] to help with printing and mailing expenses.

Our class has a reunion every second year and the gathering last year at Il Ritiro in Dittmer, Mo., was highlighted by the presence of Fr. Leonard Paskert, our master of clerics at Rocky River. We are planning a trip to visit Father Juvenal in Brazil next year with the hope that some of the class may be able to go.

My wife Marilyn especially enjoys reading Diaspora and we send all best wishes for the continuation of your great work and the contacts that it provides and keeps alive. Oremus pro invicem.

17 Jul 99 Jerry Enright: Thanks so much for all the issues of D.D. Yes, please keep me on the mailing list, but note the following change: Jerry Enright, 378 Hendee Street, Elgin, IL 60123 (847) 608-2632 - e-mail: fasolaman of pipeline.com.

I've enjoyed the updates from old friends, classmates and teachers. I remember them all with affection, especially my long-suffering teachers! It's always a bit of a shock when one of them dies - like Tarsicius, or now Jerome Baum - as I remember most of them as they were in the mid-60s (even some I saw several years ago at the reunion.) Perhaps a certain ageless quality in their influence...

I have a cabinetmaking shop (Wood Bros.) with my son in Elgin. We have 3 employees. In my rare spare time you might find me in Alabama, singing Sacred Harp with the Primitive Baptists and others! Thanks again and keep up the good work. It is much appreciated. Enough to send a few dollars to help with costs.

17 Jul 99 Joe Smith: Steve Yonick, friar of yore and now enjoying the freedom of the children of God called last week and wants to re-enlist with DD: (Dr.) Steve Yonick (773) 506-9184) 5750 N. Sheridan Rd. Apt. 102, Chicago IL 60660. [Alleluia and welcome back, Steve. I'd feared you'd died when the returned mail didn't even mention an expired forwarding address. Do you still improvise "Three Blind Mice" a la Chopin or Liszt? GS] [Joe enclosed a copy of a letter to the editors at the Tribune decrying the Vatican's suppressing a gay ministry. He signed it with his nom de plume, Rod Farrell. GS]

18 Jul 99: Dick Mayer: Fratres minores dilectissimi: Wow. I still know a little Latin. Regarding the Reunion plans: Do you realize that you picked Pentecost Eve? Those of us involved in parish ministry (that being my wife in our case, who is Director of Music Ministry at All Saints in U City MO, a lovely and lively, if struggling inter-racial parish of 200 or so) will have to head home on Saturday early evening. If the date persists, then I suggest some get-together site(s) on Friday evening, perhaps at whatever hotels/motels we cluster at. I'm taking it easy after minor surgery last Tuesday. I'm in the maintenance phase - just turned 60 in June. I had cataract surgery and a lens implant in one eye in Jan 98, and can see better than ever. This time it was a trans-urethral resection of the prostate (or TURP for short); it's too soon to say if that leads to my doing anything better than ever. I owe you a long letter, but the chair by our computer is quite uncomfortable. So just a few short shots. Otherwise, I'm in good health mental and physical health (except that I've been working algebra problems from an 1870 textbook for recreation-be glad you didn't go to school in England then), grateful for a loving, lovely wife and two sons - one a lead software engineer for Ultima Online, still playing games and getting paid, and one a senior in college. Unlike Johnny Behl and Mike Mooney [not really], nobody offered to buy me out, so I plan and hope to work another 7 or 8 years for the Boeing Company, who bought me along with McDonnell Douglas. Boeing recently named me one of their Technical Fellows, a significant achievement even if I had to nominate myself.

Books I read recently that I highly recommend (and I'll try to catch a couple of the ones mentioned in the DD): Cahill: How the Irish Saved Civilization and the Gifts of the Jews. Ursula Hegi: Stones from the River. [Ms. Hegi is a resident of Spokane, WA. - JB.] Anne Rice: Feast of All Saints. Andrew Greeley: The Catholic Myth and one I found at a used books store: Ramati: The Assisi Underground (how the friars and Poor Clares in Assisi assisted Italian Jews during WWII.)

Where to put the Smith/Lutz/et al. debate material? The perfect solution I think would be a web site where they can post their stuff. Maybe on the Quincy site where the DD is posted? [We've provided exactly what Dick suggests and Joe Smith described earlier: "DD as an open and valuable vehicle - uncensored - for straight talk (in addition to cordial interchanges)." It's at http://www.onelist.com/viewarchive.cgi?listname=Diaspora_ofm . Our Diaspora_ofm discussion venue is perfect for any and all comers. Write as long or short as you wish. - Gael]

Then those who wish to engage may do so, and no one has to type, print, and mail large amounts of words. Jack, I saw nothing in your take at the end of DD27 that merited a "fuck off." Speaking of the real world, Dr. Smith, my son lost his summer job last year for directing a digital "fuck off" toward a union co-worker. Are the requirements of the working place more cordial than those of the pages of the frat-chat?

While I'm at it (so much for the short letter), why are so many of you out there still beating your heads against the ____________ (fill in your favorite apposition) of the Roman Catholic hierarchy. The Body of Christ is not a one-to-one mapping (math analogy) onto the Catholic Church. None of you would explicitly say that it is, but you often seem to assume it tacitly. There is plenty of ministry to be done bringing the Gospel and love and power (yes, there is power) of Jesus Christ to people that is just as sacramental as the officially stamped Sacraments.

I would like to bene distinguere a bit about one of the most frequent complaints about the RC Church - that it has been male-dominated. It has been celibate-male dominated with celibate males and females at the lower levels of the bureaucracy. I believe one of the greatest dis-services that the Roman church has ever done is the elevation of the celibate life over the married life. What are the principal images in Scripture of the love of God for us? Sexual love and parental love. (Another book I should have listed above is The Song of Songs, a new translation and commentary by Mr. and Mrs. Bloch.) I recently read an article by a Black Catholic woman basically wishing for the liberty to develop a new rite in which she could be authentically Black and Catholic. I could replace the word (black and synonyms) with married and reissue the article. Aside from the sociological functions of hierarchical control that were furthered, I believe there are deeper theological issues. I believe that doctrines of Mary's Immaculate Conception and perpetual virginity, the practice of a celibate male clergy and the sacramental discipline that we grew up with (don't touch the Host, scrape up the crumbs, pour the water down a separate sink) [We dubbed this "Crumb Theology" in our day. JB.] are tied to a lack of understanding of the depth of Incarnation and Redemption. We do not have a mountain or an ark that we cannot touch, but rather we are invited to approach the very throne of God. (Loose quote from somewhere in Hebrews). Just-i-fied = Just-as-if-I'd never sinned, when I truly repent, put my faith in the sacrifice of Christ and accept his loving-kindness. Once the matter is completely dealt with, it no longer matters whether I sinned or not.

Of course that completely is always a stumbling block. No matter how sweet the initial conversion experience, it still comes down to dying to yourself. I once thought I was ready to do that and said so in a moment of fervent prayer. The Spirit very quickly showed me that I was not. Dying to yourself still feels like dying, and I don't like that feeling.

Largely through the charismatic renewal, I have come to know that Jesus is alive and well, that he really did take my burden of sin (personal and existential or whatever) and let it kill him, thereby ransoming me from it. I have a piece of the Rock, which is the "revelation knowledge", not Peter (Blessed are you...for my Father in heaven has revealed this to you.) I have experienced the Spirit implanted within me calling out Abba, Father. (It isn't just Pauline theology or poetry.) I believe that the Spirit wants to have a much more direct role in our personal and communal lives than most churches are willing to allow her/him. I also believe that the Spirit or Pentecostal renewal is inherently trans-denominational and that any group that tries to partake in it and stay behind its own traditional boundaries will dry up. I rate myself about 60% Catholic and 40% Protestant, mainly because I see a more integral relationship between Scripture and Church than most of the Separated brethren. Sola Scripture strikes me as almost an oxymoron. I remain an active member of a local church that is Catholic because I grew up in it and feel that I can worship and serve in this particular Catholic parish. I also seek spiritual nourishment and support at other Christian assemblies in and out of churches, and have ministered and spoken myself at several such.

I am much more interested in what the power and love of God can do - and seek out ways to learn of such doings - rather than in striving to deepen our theology and reform our structures, tho these are not without value. I've met in no particular order:

A black man who was a drug addict for 19 years who now almost tangibly exudes the joy and love of the Lord.
A white man who had been an addict and dealer for 21 years who now uses the construction company he bought to launder his money to build for various Christian ministries.
A Hispanic couple who were both in and out of drugs and institutions and are now the parents of a family and pastors in the city of St.Louis.
A man whose son, nearly blind at age 6, stopped growing and nearly died because of a brain tumor, was healed and now can see and is growing normally.
A young woman from our parish who should have died as a toddler, but was healed.
A priest who was discouraged and a borderline alcoholic whose life and ministry were transformed and who founded and developed a thriving Charismatic Center in Houston.
And a Lord who instantly healed two fingers on my 2-year-old son's right hand, as I held his little hands in mine after shutting the kitchen door on the fingers.

Well, so there! You finally got your letter after all these years. Your next challenge, should you choose to accept it, is to get my share of the cost of the DD out of me for all these years.

Linda and I both hope to see you next June. [Your letter was worth the wait. - GS. Amen. - JB]

20 Jul 99 Dave (Ward-1963] Struckhoff: Thanks for keeping all this going. Will try to access the net and do some chatting. New address: 687 Springwood Dr., Joliet IL 60435-8900, Phone 815-730-7803, Fax 815-730-7804, Work 312-915-7566 (Loyola, Chicago), email: docdave of justiceresearch.com - work email: dstruck of luc.edu - His web site is http://www.justiceresearch.com. My wife Georgia died November 1997. Will marry Patricia "feisty" Riley Oct. 23, 1999 at St. Patrick's Joliet. Have just published Juvenile Delinquency: Annual Editions (an edition), Dushkin/McGraw-Hill. Still a professor of criminology at Loyola but also executive director of Justice Research Institute. It is a public service agency and tax exempt. We do a lot of police and corrections consulting and publishing. We are giving out single copies of "My Mom has Cancer" by Shari Lichtenstein, a book we helped develop and of which we are very proud. Partners in the Diaspora can write to us at Justice Research, address above. It is a great book for children and is very educational and supportive but neutral (realistic) in terms of outcome. Have been visiting with Jack Bartz and Don Blaeser and Co., and in contact with Jim Zangs.

20 Jul 99: George Vaughan: Hello, I attended St. Joe's from 1959 through 1962. My wife, Dee, a I are volunteers in Costa Rica with the Christian Foundation for Children and Aging out of Kansas City, KS. Our mailing address is: Aportado 1990 - 2050; San Pedro, Costa Rica; Phone: 506-228-8517; E-mail: devgev of sol.racsa.co.cr Jim Fisher showed us the Web page when we visited with him and his wife. Enjoyed the last issue.

21 Jul 99: Robert Willford: Greetings to the two most indefatigable journalists I've ever met. (But then I haven't met too many, AND I don't think I've even met Jack in person yet). Regardless, many overdue thanks for the fantastic job you two do in keeping the rest of us up on what's going on with our compadres.

I've got a real battle of emotions going on here as I skim the Smith/Lutz debates, and then read and reread your futile attempts to put these two disputants back on course as to what the Diaspora Digest was originally created for.

The strongest emotion I feel right now is disappointment. Disappointment that people can be so unaware and/or unappreciative of the efforts you guys go through to put this publication out. The last time I looked, the compensation you guys get ain't exactly a golden parachute. And I don't know if I misread, but did one of you really have to reenter one-half of that dialogue from long hand-written reams? Good grief !

I guess I'd have to say this whole business really makes me pretty angry too. If Joe and Tony feel that they are filling such an intellectual void and satisfying your readers' craving for 'meat and potatoes', I might politely suggest they start their own newsletter and go through the grind of editing, typing, publishing, and mailing out their thoughts.

For myself at least (and maybe a few others), I'm quite happy to read "what's new" with the brothers and their families. Congrat's to those who graduated, or nice going to those who had a book or article published, or I'm so sorry to hear of your loss....this is what the Digest is about. A way of staying in touch though far removed. If I want philosophy and theology and intellectual posturing and strutting and references ad nauseam, the library and public radio are fertile fields for that crop.

Finally, I have to say that as much as anything else, I'm just plain old puzzled by what I read in DD #28 from Joe Smith. Pardon me for speaking directly to you, Joe, having never met you personally before this. But after somebody tells one and all to "F*** off", I kind of feel like the introduction protocol has been satisfied. Joe, are you really serious about using the DD as the tool to compensate for the evils of the Holocaust, discipline our President for his libertine practices, save the global economy from collapse? Geez, maybe we can even cure the common cold too.

And as for your admonition to "get real, guys." What could be more real and mean more to any of us than the joys, excitements, and sorrows that visit us and our families? Is this what you consider 'popcorn and cotton candy'? If it is, sorry, but I think a lot of us get more nourishment at that concession stand than we do at your and Tony's "meat and potatoes" banquet. There's no question that you and Tony are wonderfully matched in wit, wisdom, and background for your exchanges. But does it occur to either of you that what Jack is suggesting is not censorship, but a fraternal request to "take it outside? As I suggested above, if you both feel that there is such a demand for your polemics and world views, then pick another medium and have at it. If your endeavors are supported emotionally and financially by your readership, your opinion would certainly be justified. If not, well.......

Finally, Gael and Jack, thanks again so much for doing what you do so well. I waited too long to get back to you guys with as much support as I can for what you say, what you do, and what you believe in as far as the DD is concerned. Keep the faith.

25 Jul 99 George Cuellar (1958): My best regards and hope-filled wishes to all of my fellow classmates, philosophers, theologians, priests, confreres, friars, teachers, superiors, pastors, and professors. June 10, 2000 sounds OK with me except that my wife Irma works 11 months for Houston Independent School District and I work only 10 months. I'll be out of vacation before she will. My sons, Federico and John, will also be on vacation and probably working and so far their bosses have been very understanding in giving them time off when they needed it. If you can move the time to June 24th or July 1 2000, I can almost guarantee that Irma, I, and the boys will show up for the Franciscan Reunion. If not, the we'll just have to twist some arms down here in Houston. [Afraid not, George. The date was set in stone months ago. It coincides with my busiest weekend of the year. Perfect Joy. The schedulers did what they could. - GS]

My Dad is still in the Horizon Specialty Hospital off Pasteur Drive at the Medical Center in San Antonio enjoying the finest care so he can be comfortable in bed for Lord knows how long. After developing gangrene in his toe, both his legs had to be amputated and he returned to the nursing home. His heart is strong. He is fed through the stomach and has difficulty swallowing. He is visited by my sister, Mary, my 86-year-old aunt, and some of my cousins. He is 91 years old. Thank you for your prayers.

It has taken me 63 years to finally know Minnesota. Irma was fascinated while I relived some of my seminary memories on July 7, 1999 when we took a trip to Duluth: while up and down the steep side of Duluth, visiting Holy Family Church, having a bite to eat at a Greek restaurant, driving over to Superior, Wisc., and back to Brainerd, Minn., where we were spending a week's vacation by the Mississippi River while John was at a hockey camp at Nisswa, Minn. Federico was also with us. We didn't have time to go to Hayward, Wis. to visit the Indian Reservation.

That's all for now. Enjoy the rest of the summer and don't forget to buckle up. Peace. [And thank you for the check. GS ]

25 Jul 99: Maury Smith (1959): Hope all is well with you. I noticed Paul Kertz's phone and address in the last issue of Diaspora. Tried the phone number and it was out of date. I did not write down his address. Would you be so kind as to send me his address? Will write more later; I am getting ready for the weekend masses right now. Peace. [See Paul Kertz letter below.]

27 Aug 99: An admiring fringer sent the July newsletter from St. Leonard's House in Chicago. Founded in 1954 to provide temporary housing to former inmates working to reenter mainstream society, it helps 375 male ex-offenders a year. Fringer Robert Dougherty is executive director (it wasn't he who sent the newsletter). [They minister to] about half of Illinois ex-offenders. St. Leonard's comprehensive program has a 20% recidivism rate. Next door is St. Andrew's Court that offers permanent affordable housing and support services. It was nominated for top HUD award. [Splendid work Bob's doing. - GS]

28 Jul: Minor Matters, July-Aug: Announced results of the provincial elections at the provincial Chapter that made history when six councilors were elected on the first ballot. Elected are: Fr. Ferd Cheri, Kevin Lenihan, Bill Burton, Arthur Anderson, Stephen Suding, John Eaton, Provincial Minister John Doctor and Vicar Provincial Minister Kenneth Capalbo. The issue is devoted to 24 pages of photos from the chapter. - The issue said Blane O'Neill is at St. Francis in Oakville, MO with Bob Behnen, Aloys Jost, Ermin Micka, and Valerian Schott. I have no address or phone for that friary to send Blane his DD.

The July 12 issue of Tennessee Register noted the elections of two Franciscans at Nashville: Fr. Ferd Cheri and Br. Steve Suding. Also elected to a third term was Fr. Arthur Andersen, former pastor of Nashville's St. Vincent (my own former parish). A fourth friar stationed at Nashville, Al Merz (1959), is a former definitor. - GS

29 Jul 99 Rev. Bob Pahler: ordained in 1956, wrote again. He has moved to Immac. Heart of Mary Ch. at 1905 Portage Trail, Cuyahoga Falls OH 44223. Phone: 330-929-8361. He recommends adding Dr. Richard Clancey, 12900 Lake Ave Apt 1906, Lakewood OH 44107 who was in the novitiate class of 1950. Phone 216-521-7290.

4 Aug 99 Tony Lutz: Sue and I went to the Franciscan University of Steubenville in July for "Defending the Faith Conference." Over 1,600 attended. Great scholars and converts presided. The liturgy was exhilarating. There was no doubt left that Christ founded church to convert all nations, starting, of course, with ourselves.

Our dearly departed Fr. Frank Draude did not appreciate the polemics that are part of the Digest. Christ told us His words would be divisive. Sorry, Frank, this is a battle for souls and verbal spitballs are an insult to the faith. Frank does speak for some others: "C'mon, fellas, can't we all just get along." Living the faith fully is not a game of "Paddy cake, paddy cake, baker's man."

I am enclosing letters from my congressman, from Sen. John Warner, and an article by Bishop Roque of the archdiocese of the U.S. Military Services favoring keeping School of the Americas (SOA) open at Ft. Benning, Ga. I have a brother who thinks the school should be shut down. If we are going to shut down this school, then we should shut down our seminaries because some bad priests will be ordained; we should shut down our police academies because some police become corrupt. The U.S. government contracted with a private company to study the school. This company reported that the school was a "national asset" and that "there is no link between SOA instruction and decisions made by individual Latin American military personnel to commit human rights' atrocities. Ask yourselves, "Are we trying to minimize evil or are we maximizing evil?" Sincerely.

[Rep. Tom Davis' letter attacks sampling techniques for the 2000 Census and advances the Army claims that SOA systematically advocates human rights awareness. Reminds me of the segregationist governors, representatives, senators, bishops, older friars, and Southern priests about 1965 who told us Negroes liked not having civil rights and destroying Vietnamese villages was bringing peace. Sen. Warner says he supported "language" in the Appropriations Act requiring the Secretary of Defense to certify training in human rights. Like government "language" did at Waco.

Tony, special note to you: Thanks for double-spacing every other line. So much easier to transcribe. - Gael]

11 Aug 99 Tony Lutz wrote a thesis on homosexuality, again: Phil Windolph's statement about following Christ's law of love rather than the love of the law as followed by the Vatican today is mystifying. Christ said: "If you love me, keep my commandments." Christ spelled out how one must love him. The problem must go back to a lack of knowledge of sacred scripture, of the catechism, of the Catholic Church, and of papal documents. Today, sermons represent a truncated gospel not the full gospel of Jesus Christ. I hear sermons every Sunday but practically never are sexual morality, abortion, divorce, contraception, homosexuality, and the formation of a properly informed conscience touched on.

When I was a member of CORPUS, I was always shocked and perplexed how many of them had changed views on homosexuality. Many of our liberal seminarians today teach the same false doctrine. Only in recent years have I heard the laity speaking about rectories where homosexual activity is going on among the priests. If John Miller is going to be believed about his views on homosexuality, he should be able to show from God's revelation, from philosophy, science, and unbiased peer reviewed studies, that homosexuality is as natural as heterosexuality. He should put his personal findings in a published article and allow it to be critiqued. I would put no credence in the Associations of Psychologists/Psychiatrists about homosexuality because their leadership is composed mostly of atheists and secularists who have bowed to the propaganda and intimidation by the gay and lesbian community. A Christian psychologist in my area did his doctoral dissertation on homosexuality. He claims anyone can go from homosexuality to heterosexuality if he/she does four things: 1) Through study and prayer become convinced homosexual behavior is sinful, 2) want to overcome his/her homosexual desires, 3)remove himself/herself from contact with homosexuals, and 4)put themselves under the guidance of a competent Christian counselor. The truly great former defensive end for the Green Bay Packers, Reggie White, said recently: "There was a man who came to me after I preached. He said to me, 'God has brought me out this lifestyle. Thank you for what you had the courage to say because I'm saved now.'" Clement of Alexandria said: "We must realize that loving our enemies and loving our people in general does not mean loving wickedness, ungodliness, adultery, theft, homosexuality, lying, cheating, drunkenness, fornication, murder, or disobedience." St. John Chrysostom said in one of his homilies on Roman 4: "All of these affections (in Rom 1:26-27)... were vile, but chiefly the mad lust after males, for the soul is more the sufferer in sins, and more dishonored than the body in diseases." I would refer John M. to the writings of Fr. John Harvey, founder of Courage and not to the heretical teachings of the priest and sister who led the Dignity group and were recently censured by the Vatican. One of the most destructive acts of a homosexual counselor is to remove guilt feelings. Conscience is a precious gift of God. Once conscience is destroyed or perverted the person can go happily along sinning. Years ago an elder Jewish psychologist told our class: "I never met a homosexual professional who didn't have serious emotional problems." Helping to rescue people from homosexuality is a work of mercy. All of us are trying to pull ourselves with the grace of God out of sin. Sacred scripture tells us: "Man's heart is inclined to evil from his youth." I once asked one of our teachers: When will we ever get over sexual temptations? He answered: "One half-hour after death." Always, Tony L.

30 Aug 99 Paul (Hilaire) Kertz: New address: 17 Blue Fountain Community, Festus, MO 63028. [No new phone?] Received your DD28 and was delighted to hear from you once again. And to hear the latest on some of those that I had contact with in the past while in the seminary. Jerry Voss and I get together for lunch and discussed the Diaspora Digest and we have met quite often over the years since we live close to each other. We were in the profession class of 1959. Peace. May you have a great fall season in your state of Tennessee.

1 Sep 99: Steve Gengenbacher: While I've been receiving DD for a while, I've never taken the opportunity to thank you for all the good work. I look forward to hearing what all the guys have to say, and I appreciate knowing what happened to all the brethren! Please keep me on the mailing list...

Just a little update. My wife, Virginia, and I have been married almost twenty years, and except for a four year stint in Corpus Christi, Texas, as the director of the Family Life Office for the diocese there, we have been here in San Antonio, where I have the same position for the Archdiocese. I'm also a marriage and family therapist...my wife's a therapist, too...should have the perfect marriage...right? As I said, my oldest daughter, who just turned 18, went off to college this fall, and we have two daughters, age 15 and 14, a son, age 10, and another daughter, age 8. I figured out the other day that when my last child graduates from college, I'll be 62 and definitely ready for early retirement...but I'll still be paying off college bills. I don't think it ever ends. But they are worth it!

Having been through and/or associated with Quincy, Illinois, you may remember my parents, Frank and Eleanor Gengenbacher. They both died last year within seven months of each other, one of cancer, the other of a sudden, massive heart attack. They would have celebrated their 58th wedding anniversary. With a mother-in-law whose now living with us, bedridden after a stroke last March, it has been quite a challenging year. I'm surprised I'm anywhere near coherent. Anyway, again, thanks for all your hard work, and keep me posted. My e-mail address is - no kidding – PapaFive of aol.com. See ya. God bless. P.S. There's a new area code on my phone/mailing information. Correct phone number is (210) 333-7685. Thanks!

2 Sep 99 GK's Senior Friars newsletter: announces that two friars born in September have died: Silas Musholt, on Aug. 5, and Blase Hakman on July 28. Silas taught my class a New Testament course. Blase taught general science and physics - the kinds of things one appreciates all one's life - like Bede's (Gene's) and Rheinhold's biology and Agatho's cosmology, genetics, and chemistry. Tom Vos turned 65 in Mountain City, Tenn. The September Minor Matters adds others to the OFM necrology: Eusebius Brezovsky, Michael Lange, Francis Stein, and William Barnickel. A few good men. Provincial John Doctor's mother died and Salvador Valdez's father. RIP omnes.

5 Sep 99 Bill Carroll: sent another hefty check: "Some help with DD postage."

9 Sep 99: Chuck Faso's form letter repeats some of what he wrote above: Peace and Everything Good! It is time to let you know about my new address, new ministry and future pilgrimages...

On May 31, 1999, my 21 years of ministry at St. Peter's in the Chicago Loop ended. These have been years of blessings and much joy and satisfaction. One of my greatest memories and joys was standing out in front of St. Peter's to greet folks. As the Tribune named that morning ministry: "The Curbside Confessor." St. Peter's will always have a precious place in my heart. My new ministry is full time, on-the-road, free-lance preaching of God's Good Word. St. Francis was moved by God to begin the Franciscan Order to do as Jesus and the Apostles did: to travel from town to town and preach the Good News of God's love and mercy. So watch out, pulpits of the world, here I come... I will be preaching around the country, hopefully near you. During the first two weeks of June I traveled through Jordan, Israel and the Palestinian Authority. My 17th visit to the Holy Land - and always like the first. In August, twenty of us went to visit another Holy Land: the Land of Saints and Scholars - Ireland. Grand, indeed! The in between weeks kept me busy moving home and office. Paul Lachance, O.F.M., Clarence Klingert, O.F.M. and I are now living in a 110-year-old house just five blocks west of where we lived for the last three years. My office and home address: Dwelling Place, 2437 W. Augusta Blvd., Chicago, IL 60622. Phone: 773-276-3386; Email: frchuck of wwal.com. ...So a new chapter begins. I hope our paths cross soon and often. Be assured of my prayers and best wishes for you and your loved ones. On the road again...

10 Sep 99 Anthony Lutz puts defenders of homosexuals on the spit: My latest hit is going to be on my dearest friend of many years, Bill Carroll. He is a man of great natural ability and broad academic background. And yet he gave his name to four others, who wrote "Human Sexuality: New Direction in American Catholic Thought." It was a study commissioned by the Catholic Theological Society of America. I bought my copy in 1977 from the Thomas More Book Club. At the time its newsletter characterized the book thus: "Rarely has the Christian view of sexuality in all its dimensions been so clearly , completely, and comprehensively explored as in Human Sexuality. It effectively replaces other moral guides, putting into perspective contemporary Catholic moral teaching and current scientific understanding of sexuality."

At the time I had a letter printed in "The Sunday News" in Detroit slamming Msgr. Hubert Maino's sharp criticism of the book. Today my views have changed 180 degrees. And I apologize to the orthodox Msgr. In my latest perusal of "Human Sexuality" I was struck by the fact there was no Nihil Obstat from a theologian or an Imprimatur from an Ordinary. Those niceties should have been observed since the book was for general publication and not limited to experts who were able to pre-review it and ably critique it. To me in hindsight it was a rash undertaking done by a very liberal group (the Catholic Theological Society of America). Think back to 1968 when these same theologians lambasted "Humanae Vitae." They wanted to run the church in their arrogance and wanted to deny the pope the role given him by Christ himself. If the authors had to do a revision of the "study," would they still use outdated statistics? Would they still want to quote Dr. Kinsey whom recent studies have shown to be a fraud, a liar, and a sexual pervert? Would the nearly 4 million couples cohabiting today be looked upon favorably when we have seen the destruction done by unmarried parents and the evidence that cohabitating predicts a greater chance of subsequent unhappy marriages, divorce, and multiple marriages. Yes, they do it their own way but not Christ's way.

Finally, it is the Magisterium, the teaching authority of our church that has the duty to "preserve God's people from deviations and defections, and to guarantee them the objective possibility of professing the true faith without error." (Catechism, no. 890.) Members of the CTSA have no such authority. Their competence does not extend to creating the teachings of the church but only to explaining those doctrines defined or taught authoritatively. In Xto.

25 Sep 99 John A. (Malcolm) Hogan sacerdo of uswest.net writes: I appreciate your sending me the Diaspora Digest. I would like to update my bio. After a leave of absence from the Diocese of Gary, Ind., I returned to the active ministry in May 1993, albeit as a "Senior Priest". I help out week-ends and during the week and at hospitals, etc. when called upon. I was living in Michigan where you were sending the newsletter to me until this past May when I relocated to Tucson, AZ. This was due to a compression fracture of the spine, osteo-arthritis, etc. This left me unable to do anything in the damp climate around Lake Michigan. Doctors recommended this climate and the in-ground pool I have in my back yard. The water therapy has done wonders. I now help out in this Diocese of Tucson. I will shortly be getting a long-overdue check out to you to help cover the cost of your newsletter and mailings.

There is an open invite to all who know me to visit here in the land of perpetual summer. My phone number is 520-219-3547. I live at 11620 North Quicksilver Trail, Oro Valley, AZ 85737 (Tucson). I have a large house with a large yard, so there is room for visitors if you're down this way. P.S. No, Gael, I am not related to Jim Hogan, a few years behind me, but I did know him. Like all Hogans - a very nice fellow from what I remember. I'm kept busy still, getting settled in my relocating here.

29 Sep 99 Jerry Struckoff: Thank you so very much for the big DD. I read them avidly. [Thank YOU for covering the costs of mailing nearly half of the DD 29 letters. - GS] The only input I've ever seen from our class of 1954 is that of Brother Herman Joe. Our class is fortunate to have Charlie Strack as a member. He has been organizing (quasi modo) a class reunion every five years since about 1965. The 40th anniversary of our ordination will be in June Y2K.

Our class has lost a number of great guys: Rayner Dolesh died in our Brazilian missions far too early. He was our class 'baby' since he was almost a year younger than most of us. Since Ray's death, we have lost Cassius (Eagle Eye) Wenker, George McDevitt, Laurian Hallissy, and John Chambers.

I've been fortunate to have a tough profession. I'm a licensed nursing home administrator. Believe me, it's a people profession. Not many people to keep happy - just the residents (patients), family members, the owners, the staff, and four or more government agencies.

I lost my wife Joanne to cancer in 1996. Early last year I remarried a sweet Sue. She is director of nursing at a small nursing home. I just do interim stints as administrator. Every nursing home has to have a license on the wall. I fill in when and where needed.

Thanks again, guys, for the DD. Many contributors I never have known. But I do enjoy reading the DD. - [This is an update to the address list I sent y'all in DD28: Struckhoff, Jerry/Sue (Charles-1954) 813/782-6466, 2640 Crystal Springs, Rd., Zephyrhills, FL 33540. GS]

1 Oct 99 GK's Senior Friars: Two friars born in October died: Frs. Eusebius Brezovsky and Michael Lange of Cleveland. Two friars born in October, Fr. Barnabas Diekemper and Br. Christopher Neuman, joined GK's 65 and older senior friars.

13 Oct 99 Isaac Braun wrote from Brazil. His letter arrived 25 Oct: Peace. Another year has gone by, and it is time to send our last greetings before the year 2000. Last year when I wrote, I was unemployed. Thank the Lord, after only two months, the owner of another hotel called me to work in the reception. I'm earning less than before, but unemployment being as it is and I being almost 65 years old, I did not find anything better. In March of next year, I'll be old enough to retire. However, with the social security in a turmoil here, let's see if I'll have to keep on working. Socorro and I continue as Eucharistic ministers both in church and also visiting regularly some elderly and sick persons. In July, the parish had a nice celebration with the Eucharist and anointing of the elderly and infirm. There were 133 of them present.

The pastor asked Socorro to be the pastoral coordinator of the parish. You might say she is almost the second assistant pastor. In preparation for the year 2000, she and about forty other persons of the parish made a course in Evangelization with an encounter every Saturday for four months. The archdiocese began a course of two encounters per year for four years to prepare lay missionaries. Once a week, Socorro meets with those of our parish who are making this course. Let's pray that they can help many others have, as Socorro says, "a passion for Jesus." This year in preparation for the Jubilee Year of 2000 the parish had a special missionary campaign from Aug. 29 to Oct. 17. The beginning and closing are marked with a large concentration and open-air Mass with the participation of the twenty communities that make up the parish, and every Sunday during this time the Mass had a special missionary theme.

Twice during this year the Legion of Mary had a marathon of evangelization visits in the homes. On the last Sunday in January they visited more than 300 homes in our area, and in September on one Sunday more than 500 homes in another community.

Kaline, who will be 10 in January, is no longer going to the Olinda Music Center, but this year, she, Socorro, and about five other persons had some private electronic keyboard lessons in our home. On certain days they play during Mass at Church. Kaline is very intelligent, but she has to have more interest and persistence. She is also a Minister of Reading or Lector at our parish. In December, she will receive First Communion, and on Dec. 12, we will celebrate our 15th wedding anniversary. Time goes by quickly. We have much to be thankful for.

Socorro and the other ladies continue with the Mothers' Club in the nearby poor community or slum. This year they had various cooking courses, textile painting, a course in newspaper craftwork given by a lady from the actual slum, and monthly health and hygiene talks. And now, the Waterworks pulled out of their archives an old debt of the former owner of the little old wooden building that the Mothers' Club bought. When they bought this building that was almost falling down, they had no idea that years ago water was connected to it. The Waterworks doesn't even want to know that the Mothers' Club had nothing to do with this debt. On the first Thursday of every month this community now has a Mass, and every Saturday night the celebration of the Word with the Eucharist. However, the participation is very weak, but the little house is filled with ladies wanting to learn when the Mothers' Club has their weekly activity meeting. Thank the Lord for this, and thanks to those of you who helped.

Unemployment continues to be a big problem. Last January there was a big devaluation of our money, the Real, which was holding up rather well since 1994. Other than international air travel- which is based on the dollar - what went up most were cars (which already were expensive), electrical appliances, and medicines, and now gasoline is going up a lot. More people are beginning to see that one cause of the financial crisis is the high interest charged by the banks here. The new constitution of 1988 said the maximum interest can be 12 % per year, but Congress got rid of this, and the banks charge a lot more than any money application earns. So that's why companies, even old traditional companies, are going broke.

Thank the Lord, this year this region has more rain than last year of El Nino. The rains are less than normal, but the rainy period is more extended. Yesterday morning we were very saddened when we got to our plot of land. The wooden back door of the house, which is not finished yet, was broken in, and someone stole a submersible water pump along with about 30 meters of electrical wiring.

The year 2000 is coming soon, and we wish for all the readers of the DD that this year be filled with life in the Holy Spirit, with much meaning and with much fruit for the Kingdom of God.

Thanks a lot for the copies of DD. God bless all of you with a very Merry Christmas and very Happy and blessed New Year.

14 Oct 99 Dennis Griffin sent an article from the Chicago Tribune telling how a once dead deal between a volunteer agency has been revived and may bring the Peabody mansion closer to being opened to the public. - The article rehashes the long history and ends on a negative note by one of the Conservancy's board members. We'll see.

15 Oct 99 Jack Brennan: [Could not resist adding this. JB] "The people you have to lie to, own you. The things you have to lie about, own you. When your children see you owned, then they are not your children anymore, they are the children of what owns you. If money owns you, they are the children of money. If your need for pretense and illusion owns you, they are the children of pretense and illusion. If your fear of loneliness owns you, they are the children of loneliness. If your fear of the truth owns you, they are the children of the fear of the truth." -- Michael Ventura (From "The Sun," September, '99)

16 Oct 99 Rev. John Hogan sent a check, calling it a [phriarly] pittance for the DD. - A pittance it wasn't. Thanks.

17 Oct 99 Chris Reuter's October parish letter says he has a new Dodge Intrepid and spent a day driving it almost 300 miles to visit an inmate. He was turned away on a credentials technicality. "Perfect Joy," he exclaimed, smiled and drove home rejoicing that "at least I had the pleasure of making the trip in a new car." He began wording a letter to the governor, and, admits to not being "a very happy camper." Oh, yes.

21 Oct 99 - WEORC edited by Martin J. Hegarty: notes that Mary Lou Zehnfuss, long on the DD mailing list, died suddenly. She was a supporter of WEORC and kept the DD editor up on former priest/religious doings, on CORPUS, on Rent-a-Priest, etc. Marty notes, also, "the continuing series of Diaspora Digests by which the Chicago province of former and active OFMs entertains itself with reminiscences and observations about the Church." -- Jack & Cheryl Bartz are mentioned as Godwin's Apostles: folks who commit to sending monthly help to Dowwin Pieris's orphanage in Sri Lanka. A Bill Riordan is mentioned. I'm not sure he's the one who was at Mayslake in the 1950s. - (GS)

26 Oct Tony Lutz: Recently there was a great outpouring of love for St. Therese of Lisieux when her relics paid a visit to D.C. We admire the saints because they better than most know the real meaning of life and how best to attain its objective.

Fr. Sylvano Pera wrote to me from his parish in Decatur, Ill., that our classmate, Fr. Bill Barnickel died Sept. 21 at St. John's Hospital in Springfield. Bill had been living at the Franciscan Retirement Home at Sherman, Ill. He was waked at Sherman and at Mayslake Village and then buried at the friars' plot in Queen of Heaven Cemetery at Hillside, Ill. Bill was a wonderful classmate, with a beautiful smile, and willingness to help others. We'll miss this beloved confrere. Requiescat in coelis.

Sylvano tells me he is leaving Illinois for McGehee, Ark., where he will pastor three small parishes. We need more priests like Syl, who retire only to pastor souls for the Kingdom. Yours in Christ.

27 Oct 99 Jack Bartz sends a list of local motels/hotels in the Mayslake area so folks can make reservations for our June 10, 2000 reunion. Local Accommodations:

HOTELS & MOTELS
IN THE MAYSLAKE AREA
FOR CONVENIAT 2000
(Municipalities: Clarendon Hills, Downers Grove,
Elmhurst, Hinsdale, Oak Brook, Oakbrook Terrace,
Westmont, Willowbrook; Area Code: 630)

AERIE HOTELS, 17 W 635 Butterfield Road, Oakbrook Terrace, 916-1335
AMERICAN RESORTS INTERNATIONAL, 903 Commerce Drive, Oak Brook, 571-9800
BAYMONT INNS, 855 79th (Rt. 83), Willowbrook, 654-0077
BEST WESTERN AMBASSADOR INN, 669 Pasquinelli Drive, Westmont, 323-1515; 800/528-1234
CLUBHOUSE INN, 630 Pasquinelli Drive, Westmont, 920-2200
COMFORT INN, 3010 Finley Road, Downers Grove, 515-1500
COMFORT SUITES, 17 W 445 Roosevelt Road, Oakbrook Terrace, 916-1000
COURTYARD BY MARRIOTT, 370 N Rt. 83, Elmhurst, 941-9444
DAYSTOP, 115 E Ogden Avenue, Westmont, 969-5200
DOUBLETREE GUEST SUITES, 2111 Butterfield Road, Downers Grove, 971-2000
DOWNERS GROVE MOTEL, 205 Ogden Avenue, Downers Grove, 969-7110
DRAKE OAKBROOK HOTEL, 22nd & York, Oak Brook, 574-5700, 645-2500; 800/555-8000
DUELLMAN'S MOTEL, 640 Ogden Avenue, Downers Grove, 968-2714
FAIRFIELD INN BY MARRIOTT, 820 79th (Rt. 83), Willowbrook, 789-6300
HOLIDAY INN, 7800 Kingery Hwy (Rt. 83), Willowbrook, 325-6400, 325-2992
HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS, 933 S Route 83, Elmhurst, 279-0700
HYATT REGENCY OAKBROOK, 199 Spring Road, Oak Brook, 573-1234
LA QUINTA INNS, 1 S 666 Midwest Road, Oakbrook Terrace, 495-4600
LODGE THE, Ronald Lane (McDonald's corporate campus), Oak Brook, 990-5800
MARRIOTT HOTEL OAK BROOK, 1401 W 22nd, Oak Brook, 573-8555
MAYFLOWER INN, 407 Ogden, Clarendon Hills, 325-2500
OAK BROOK HILLS HOTEL AND RESORT, 3500 Midwest Road, Oak Brook, 850-5555
PRINCE HOTELS HAWAII, 111 W Chicago Avenue, Hinsdale, 887-8177
RED ROOF INNS, I-55 & Kingery Hwy (Rt. 83), Willowbrook, 323-8811
RED ROOF INNS, I-88 & Highland Avenue, Downers Grove, 963-4205
RENAISSANCE OAK BROOK HOTEL, 2100 Spring Road, Oak Brook, 573-2800
SOMERSET BUDGET INN, 306 Ogden Avenue, Downers Grove, 960-0401
WYNDHAM GARDEN HOTEL OAKBROOK, 17 W 350 22nd Street, Oakbrook Terrace, 833-3600

Pullout quote: July 11, John Miller: For me, being an only child, it means having brothers, fathers, uncles, cousins, and being accepted in a loving family. No one can take that away, and I'm forever grateful and better for the experience. Each of us, though uniquely different, share a bond and many of the same basic values, no matter what our present beliefs. It is a spiritual connection, not a matter of belief! It is a matter of living, forming attachments, learning to love someone outside yourself, learning, sometimes painfully, who you are, and feeling accepted by your brothers and yourself.

As I wrote in DD28, I want everyone who wants DD to get it. I also want to cut down on wasted paper and stamps. Most of you didn't ask to have DD mailed to you. If you want to continue getting it, I need to know or I'll drop your labels. Thanks to those who responded. Money contributions are neither required nor requested -- just appreciated. The e-mail version is free - just write Jack Brennan at Brennan35 of juno.com or see it at our Web site - www.quincy.edu.~hardeja/digest. Enjoy DD 29. Unless I hear from you, DD #30 won't be mailed to the following. If I'm experiencing a senior moment and your name is here by mistake, please let me know. Oh, yes, we'd also love to hear your stories, even the short form. Thanks. And for some of you, good-bye. I'd like to have gotten to know y'all over these 15-18 years. I'd still especially like you to contact me at: gaelbstahl of juno.com since that's our favored (the fully flavored, longer version) way of sending you the DD. That goes for everyone getting DD mailed to them. If you prefer the e-mail version of Diaspora Digest, let us know.

Fran Aholt, Alfred Angelo, Don/Lori Becker, Gerald Betz, Ted Bilski, Stanislaus Blanda, Rev John Bolderson, Dr. Richard Clancey, Pete D'Orazio, Pat Feehan, Rev. James Flach, Rev Francis Giedgaudis, John Girard, John Haas, Tim Healy, Marvin Henggeler, Mark Iversen, Joseph Jansen, John Jezieuski, Larry Johnson, George Karnia, Mike Kelly, Warren Kmiec, Rudy Koishor, Rev Mark Kozina, Jim Lause, Rudy Lopez, Dale Maxfield, John E. McMahon, Tom Merten, Sylvester Micek ofm, Ted Middendorf, Tom Moser, Marty Nagy, Frank Netzel, William J. Norris, Leonard Piechowski, Marvin Rademan, Dennis Renk, Robert Rensel, Victor Robinson, Rev Lawrence R. Robotnik, Jose Rodriguez, Paul Schullian, John Schulte, Frank Schwirtz, Dave Scripsky, Tom Stellwag, Dick Swetala, Robert Tavaris, John Townshend, John R. Waldren, Ray Wiemer, Jim Wilbur, and Rich Yeager.

In going over the listings, I found the following whom I urge to let me know if you want to receive the Digest. I'm rather sure I know you but am curious to hear your life story since the late 1950s or early '60s:

Paul Freudinger, Paul Gaudutis, Ken Grawe, Tom Hackman, Mark Hellstern, James Hogan, Dan Jackson, Xavier Kestler, and Charles Pruemer.